38 Transactions. 
Whyte, set on its side close beside the church tower. This was 
the retired Jamaica planter, whose advice brought about a change 
in the poet’s plans regarding his passage to the West Indies, else 
he would have sailed before the success of his book decided him 
against seeking his fortune beyond the sea. Mr Whyte was 
residing at Glaisnock House, near Cumnock, when he met the 
prospective overseer of slaves. But not long after, he purchased 
the estate of Over Stroquhan, in Dunscore, where he died in 
1822 at the age of 90. 
Twelve miles distant from Ellisland, but still within the 
parish of Dunscore, is Craigenputtock, the home of Carlyle from 
1828 till 1833. Froude calls it “the dreariest spot in all the 
British dominions,” but his description is by no means accurate. 
Dreary enough it may be in winter, when the snow-drifts lie 
piled across the mountain roads, and communication with the 
outer world is barred. In these mild latitudes, however, that is 
at the worst only for a day or two, while in summer it is a 
delightful inland home, with wide billowy stretches of pasture 
all around, extending to the dark Rhinns of Kells and the 
Solway Hills, the “inestimable silence” broken only by the 
bleating of sheep. The house is much as the philosopher left it. 
There is the little room he used as a study, containing a book- 
case with many of his own writings, and many volumes that 
belonged to him. Very noticeable is a set of Shakespeare with 
the inscription—‘ To my kind nephew, James Carlyle, for the 
winter nights at Craigenputtock, with best wishes. T. C. 
Chelsea, 12th October, 1890,” and Carlyle’s “ Life of Schiller,” 
on the title-page of which the frail old man had inscribed his 
nephew’s name in pencil, and then attempted to trace it over in 
ink. The walls are rich in portraits of the Sage and his heroes, 
of Frederick, and Cromwell, and Knox; and far out on the hill 
a cairn marks the spot to which Carlyle led Emerson on the day 
of his memorable visit. 
2. Colvend as it was fifty years ago and as tt is now. 
By the Rev. James Fraser, D.D. 
In Colvend I include Southwick, which is still an integral 
part of the parish civilly. Ecclesiastically it was disjoined from 
Colvend in the course of the present year (1894), and erected 
into a church and parish, guoad sacra. 
